Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-16
m1gfelianegus.
The Old Backbone.


Has it ever occurred to our readers or
our farmers generally to what large ex-
tent the State is indebted to the farmers.
farm stock and the results of improved
agriculture in Kennebec county, for the
success of its now two prosperous State
agricultural fairs? If it has not, stop a
moment and think about it. If the exhibit
of Mr.. G. H. Nelson were to be taken out
of the horse department, its chief feature
would be wanting; not to mention large
number OF other good ones that came from
different parts of Kennebec county. Ken
nebec has long been the home of some OF
the finest Jerseys in the State, and one OF
the largest exhibits Of this class of stock
at the late State Fair, was from the Sun
INSIDE Farm of Mr.. c. H. Cobb in Vassal-
boro, while another was from the farm OF
f. P & A. C. True. South Litchfield.
Had it not been for the fine exhibits of
thoroughbred Heretords shown by Mr.. H.
c. Burleigh, Messrs. Everett A, and NJ.
NJ. Bailey, A. G. Underwood and others
from this county, the Hereford class
would have been poorly represented.
The two choice herds OF thoroughbred
Sussex cattle, breed destined to occupy
a prominent place on the farms of the fu-
ture, were from this county, having been
exhibited at Lewiston by H. c. Burleigh
and Hon. J. r. Bodwel. What magnif-
cent working oxen, and what long strings
of them were those shown by MIR. E. A.
Bailey, Mr. H. c. Burleigh, and, in years
past by j. w. Clough of Hallowell-all
Kennebec products. In sheep, the best
Southdowns were those of DR.. N. R. Rou-
telle of Watervlle, and the
best Dorsets, those owned by
Governor Bodwell and Mr.. Burleigh.
Some of the finest thoroughbred poultry
were from the pens OF F. E. Moore of Hal
lowell and John H. Fuller of this city, the
white Plymouth Rocks, owned by the
last named fancier, being the finest ever
shown at Stare fair in Maine. In agri-
cultural implements made in the State,
the threshers of Mr.. Whitman of Winthrop,
and BENJAMIN c.. Allen of Oak land, beat
the country. In apples Mr.. Wharf and
Mr.. K. ii Gardiner of Gardiner, Miss
Taylor of Belgrade, and the Messrs. Pope
of Manchester, are the winners of all the
first prizes. Mr.. G.. l. Perley, an intelli-
gent young horticulturist of Vassaboro,
carries off the prizes on grapes and when
it comes to flowers Mrs. Stanley and her
daughter of Winthrop, are way ahead of
all competitors on cut flowers and floral
designs; while another Winthrop house
wife and her two daughters, Mrs j. Henry
Moore, carry away the highest prizes for
choice private dairy butter.
In this enumeration we have mentioned
but few, although they are among the
mere prominent. OF those Kennebec
county people who contribute to the sue
cess of the Eastern Maine, and Maine
State fairs. And what very large share
it is which they make up, of the measure
of general success and interest of these
great farmers festivals. Old Kennebec
has reason TO be proud of her record for
the advancement OF Maine agriculture.
She is the solid backbone of our great
State fairs. Take her exhibits completely
out, and the ribs of the shows would col.
lapse and their sides cave in